Heads up, employers—a new law went into effect in Washington State this week (effective as of July 27, 2025) limiting when an employer can require job applicants and employees to have a valid driver’s license. A recent update to the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act now prohibits employers from requiring employees to have a …
Washington State Expands Employee Access to Personnel Files
Washington State has long required employers to allow employees to inspect their own personnel files, but the relevant statutes previously did not define what qualifies as a “personnel file” nor provide clear timelines for providing it. Washington State recently amended these statutes, including making three key changes: (1) defining “personnel file,” (2) establishing timelines for …
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Should You Use a Performance Improvement Plan?
A Performance Improvement Plan (“PIP”) is a long-standing HR tool for managing underperforming employees. Employers often use a PIP to document deficiencies and outline specific goals the underperforming employee must reach within a specific timeframe. While PIPs sound good in theory, they have recently come under criticism from employees, HR professionals, and even employment lawyers. …
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